Your stay — Soho
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The Property — Soho
Soho is a no-frills three-star in central Athens, a straight-up budget base with clean rooms and a functional lobby that doesn't pretend to be anything else. Its USP is location: a short walk from both Syntagma Square and the Plaka, so you can drop your bag and hit the Acropolis in ten minutes. It suits independent travellers who just need a decent bed, decent shower, and a street-facing cafe nearby. Don't expect boutique charm, but do expect staff who've seen a thousand check-ins and move you through fast.
Chronicles of Athens
Athens has been continuously inhabited for over 3,400 years, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its classical apex in the 5th century BC left the Parthenon and Acropolis as enduring symbols of democracy and philosophy. Ottoman rule, then a brief stint as a Bavarian capital in the 19th century, layered neoclassical mansions over the ancient grid. Modern Athens expanded chaotically after WWII, with concrete apartment blocks swallowing the hillsides. Today it's a gritty, electric metropolis where ancient ruins and street art share the same pavements.
Best Time to Visit
Full Athens guide →Best months
September and October offer 25-28°C highs, lower humidity than July, and fewer queues at the Acropolis. May is also good — warm but not scorching, with jacaranda in bloom.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak: Athens hits 35-40°C, and the city floods with cruise-ship crowds. Hotel prices double from shoulder rates; rooms at Soho can cost €120-150 a night. Events like the Athens Epidaurus Festival run through July, but the real driver is European summer holidays.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the budget sweet spots. Book Soho for €60-80 a night; the weather is mild (20-25°C in October), and the Parthenon queue is 10 minutes not 90.
Weather & packing
Athens has a Mediterranean climate but July is a dry furnace — zero rain, relentless sun, and heat that radiates off the marble till midnight. Pack light linen, a sun hat, and a refillable water bottle: you'll need hydration more than an umbrella.
Live City Briefing — Athens
- The Koukaki neighbourhood has three new rooftop bars opened in 2025 — Finopolis, Gail's and Point Blank — drawing younger crowds away from the overpriced Plaka. Expect noise in that area but no direct impact on Soho.
- Line 4 of the Athens metro is still under construction (stations at Evangelismos, Kaisariani, and Ilissia), but no closures affect central stations in July 2026. Check for bus reroutes on Syntagma Square if protests flare near Parliament.
- The Athens tram extension to Piraeus is now complete (as of late 2025), making the coastal route to the port quicker via a single fare from Syntagma station. Useful if you're day-tripping to the islands.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Soho, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (4th or 5th) facing the rear courtyard rather than the street. These are quieter, get better natural light, and avoid most of the street noise from Athinas Street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1 and 2, especially those facing Athinas Street. Street-level noise from traffic and market activity (Athens Central Market is nearby) will be constant, and lower floors have less privacy.
Best views
Rooms facing the rear offer a view of the inner courtyard or neighbouring rooftops. Street-facing rooms look onto Athinas Street and the busy market area, which is interesting but noisy. No real 'view' to speak of—this is a central city hotel.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are the quietest. The hotel is in a typical Athens building with a lift, so higher floors are farther from street-level noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Athinas Street is a main thoroughfare with heavy traffic, buses, scooters, and market lorries from early morning. The nearby Central Market adds foot traffic and vendor noise. On weekends, nightlife from surrounding bars can carry up. Windows are likely double-glazed but not soundproof.
Insider tips
1) Check in during the afternoon (after 3pm) to avoid the morning market chaos outside. 2) If you need a quiet room, email the hotel directly before arrival and request a high floor, rear-facing room—mention 'arrière' or 'πίσω' (piso) in Greek for courtyard side.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Soho
Free for all guests. Speed is adequate for browsing and calls (around 20 Mbps). No login or password needed – just select 'Soho' network.
A single lift serves all 4 floors. No stairs-only sections.
No complimentary digital newsstand. A few print English-language newspapers (e.g., Kathimerini English Edition) are at the reception area.
Check-in from 14:00. Check-out by 11:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs €20. Early bag drop is free at reception.
Free for same-day arrivals and departures. Long-term storage is not offered.
Step-free entry via a small ramp at the side entrance (ask staff). The lift fits a standard wheelchair. No adapted bathrooms.
No on-site parking. The nearest public car park is Parking Psiri, 200 m away on Evripidou, costing €20 per 24 h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night, paid at check-in. Not included in most online rates.
Deposit & card hold: A deposit equal to the first night is charged at booking. At check-in, a pre-authorisation of €50 per room for incidentals is placed.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Ι.Ναός Αγ.Αθανάσιου (450 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Αγία Άννα (469 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Ι.Ναός 3 Ιεραρχών (557 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
City Link — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Μουσείο των ψευδαισθήσεων — 342 m · ~4 min walk
Theatro Odou Ermour — 231 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Εθνική Τράπεζα — 182 m · ~2 min walk
Athens City Pharmacy — 44 m · ~1 min walk
Προϊόντα Νάξου — 157 m · ~2 min walk
Θησείο — 620 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs inside banks for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaus at the airport and in central tourist spots as they offer poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay work in most shops, cafes, and restaurants; carry some cash for small kiosks and markets.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated but not mandatory in restaurants; for taxis, rounding to the nearest euro; for hotel staff, €1-2 per bag or per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A frappe or freddo espresso at a neighbourhood kafeneio costs around €2.50-3.50; skip the touristy cafes on main squares.
A gyros pita from a takeaway joint runs €2.80-3.50; sit-down options like a souvlaki plate with salad and chips are €8-10.
A simple main course at a decent taverna (moussaka, grilled fish, or pasta) is €10-15.
The area around Athinas Street and the central market is packed with cheap souvlaki, koulouri, and bakeries; Monastiraki and Psiri have many fast-food options.
Supermarkets like AB Vasilopoulos, Sklavenitis, and My Market are common; Lidl offers the lowest prices on basics.
The markets along Ermou Street and the Monastiraki Flea Market have affordable fast-fashion and vintage finds; skip the designer boutiques if on a budget.
A single metro ticket (€1.20, valid 90 minutes) is the cheapest way; a day pass (€4.10) covers unlimited metro, buses, trams. Airport: take metro Line 3 (€9 return, 40 mins) instead of the €12-15 bus or €40 taxi.
Eat where locals queue for takeaway gyros rather than sit-down tourist places; buy bottled water and snacks from supermarkets, not street kiosks; visit the Central Market early for cheap fresh food to cook yourself.
Good to know — Athens
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
AthensIn Athens, Greece: Police (100), Ambulance/Medical (166), Fire Department (199). For general emergencies, dial 112 (EU standard). Tourist Police: 171. Non-emergency medical: 1016. Poison Control: 210-7793777.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Athens, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Soho
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Εθνική Τράπεζα — 182 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Athens City Pharmacy — 44 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Athens Airport Station → Larissa Station + Local Transit to Syntagma
💡 Alternative to metro. Connects to central station; requires additional transit. Less crowded than metro during peak hours.
Airport Station (Stathmo Aerodromio) → Syntagma Station (connected to King George hotel)
💡 Modern, clean system. Direct line to Syntagma. Purchase multi-day pass (€20 for 3 days) for unlimited local transit including metro, tram, and buses throughout stay.
Athens Airport Station → Syntagma Station (Line 3) / The Stanley Hotel
💡 Fastest, most reliable option. Direct Line 3 to Syntagma. Buy day pass (€24) for unlimited local transit.
Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' (ATH) → Syntagma Metro Station (5-min walk to King George)
💡 Most economical option. Train arrives directly at central Athens. Buy tickets at airport station kiosk. Night buses (X93, X95) operate 00:00-05:00 if late arrival.
Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" → The Stanley Hotel, Syntagma Square
💡 Use official white taxis at designated stands. Fixed rates to city center available. Avoid unmarked taxis.
Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' (ATH) → King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens (Syntagma Square)
💡 Use official taxi stand at airport for fixed rates or pre-book through your hotel. Avoid unmarked taxis. Uber/Beat often cheaper than metered taxis during peak hours.
Athens Airport Terminal 3 → Syntagma Square / The Stanley Hotel
💡 Most economical option. X95 goes to Syntagma; buy combined ticket. Night service available with reduced frequency.
Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' (ATH) → Syntagma Square / Omonoia (walking distance to King George)
💡 Cheapest option but slower. Operates overnight when metro closes. Request stop near hotel. Best for budget travelers without luggage. 24/7 service makes it ideal for late/early arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Soho?
Request a room on the upper floors (4th or 5th) facing the rear courtyard rather than the street. These are quieter, get better natural light, and avoid most of the street noise from Athinas Street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Soho?
Avoid rooms on floors 1 and 2, especially those facing Athinas Street. Street-level noise from traffic and market activity (Athens Central Market is nearby) will be constant, and lower floors have less privacy.
Is Soho noisy?
Athinas Street is a main thoroughfare with heavy traffic, buses, scooters, and market lorries from early morning. The nearby Central Market adds foot traffic and vendor noise. On weekends, nightlife from surrounding bars can carry up. Windows are likely double-glazed but not soundproof.
Which rooms have the best views at Soho?
Rooms facing the rear offer a view of the inner courtyard or neighbouring rooftops. Street-facing rooms look onto Athinas Street and the busy market area, which is interesting but noisy. No real 'view' to speak of—this is a central city hotel.
What are insider tips for staying at Soho?
1) Check in during the afternoon (after 3pm) to avoid the morning market chaos outside. 2) If you need a quiet room, email the hotel directly before arrival and request a high floor, rear-facing room—mention 'arrière' or 'πίσω' (piso) in Greek for courtyard side.
What time is check-in at Soho?
Check-in at Soho is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Soho have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Speed is adequate for browsing and calls (around 20 Mbps). No login or password needed – just select 'Soho' network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Soho?
€1.50 per room per night, paid at check-in. Not included in most online rates.
Where can I eat cheaply near Soho?
A gyros pita from a takeaway joint runs €2.80-3.50; sit-down options like a souvlaki plate with salad and chips are €8-10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Soho?
A single metro ticket (€1.20, valid 90 minutes) is the cheapest way; a day pass (€4.10) covers unlimited metro, buses, trams. Airport: take metro Line 3 (€9 return, 40 mins) instead of the €12-15 bus or €40 taxi.
When is the best time to visit Athens?
September and October offer 25-28°C highs, lower humidity than July, and fewer queues at the Acropolis. May is also good — warm but not scorching, with jacaranda in bloom.
Top Attractions in Athens
💡 Go on Sunday morning when it's busiest and more antiques appear. Watch your pockets in crowds. The adjacent Monastiraki Square has good souvlaki for €3-4.
💡 The permanent collection covers ancient Greek to modern coins. The building itself—designed by Ernst Ziller—is worth seeing. Café has good coffee at Athens prices (around €3).
💡 Bring water and a snack. The small zoo in the corner is free too—but skip it if you don't like cramped animal enclosures.
💡 Climb up from Dionysiou Areopagitou street—it's a 10-minute hike. Bring a hat in summer; there's little shade near the top. Best at sunset for photos.
💡 Go at 8am when gates open. Crowds build fast, and by 10am it's shoulder-to-shoulder. Check the official site for updated dates.